both

UK: bəʊθ | US: boʊθ

Definition

  1. adj. referring to two people or things together

  2. pron. the two; the one as well as the other

Structure
bo <both>th <Old English suffix>
Etymology

The word "both" originates from Old English bā þā, meaning "the two." It combines bā (a form of "both") with þā (the plural form of "that"). Over time, the spelling simplified to "both," retaining its core meaning of inclusivity for two entities. The word reflects a straightforward pairing logic, emphasizing duality without additional morphemes.

Examples

  1. Both candidates delivered strong speeches.

  2. She admired both paintings equally.

  3. They chose to support both initiatives.

  4. Both of us agreed on the plan.

  5. The recipe requires both sugar and honey.